Multiple distribution system



July 31, 1956 J, E. STEFFEN ET AL 2,756,859

MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed July 31, 195:5

JHVE 27250? I/Zz/w'w" 5 dye en fay 2742 L. fn o'e/ fi rw 6. 2741-575 United statesPatfit t dice 2,756,859 MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Junior E. Steffen and Raymond L. Engel, Conger-ville, IlL, assignors to Schrock Bros. co., Conge'rvillc, Ill.', a corporation of Delaware Application July 31, 1953,, Serial No. 351,6S 6 Claims. (Cl. 193-23 The present invention relates to a multiple distribution system for selectively distributing a finely divided mass or fluid in a direction preselected from, a plurality of available directions and particularly relates to a multiple distribution head system and mechanism for directionally controlling the flow of a fluid or finely divided mass. I

The multiple distribution head system of the present invention is particularly adapted to operate in conjunction with and in cooperation with an elevator 01: the like and to accept the discharge from the elevator and selectively distribute it through preselected of a plurality of channels in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Mechanisms of systems embodying the principles of the present invention enjoy particular utility and advantage in the distribution of blended dry type fertilizer mixes but may be employed most gainfully for the load ing and distribution of other types of finely divided masses or heavier than air fluids such as liquids, etc.

One of the particular advantages of the present invention lies inits utility for successively loading finely divided masses to trucks or bins or piles or onto conveyors or the like. The system and mechanism for accepting the discharge of an elevator and distributing the same successively to a plurality of directions are. well known in the art. almost invariably included an inverted tree-like structure with a two-way deflecting panel at the junction of each pair of branches. Operation of these systems for controlled. distribution of the fluid or finely divided mass necessarily then involves the manipulation of a plurality The heretofore known systems, however,

of deflecting plates to effect control of the direction of mass flow changing the mass flow from one branch of the system to a non-adjacent branch.

Thus, to effect a change in the elevator discharge flow from passage through one duct or conduit to flow through a non-adjacent duct or conduit for loading the discharge material in another location with the use of the inverted tree-type multiple distribution system it was usually necessary to follow the complex procedure of shifting a number of the deflecting plates at several of the duct junctions. Further, these inverted tree-like systems were necessarily complex and expensive and involved the use of' an excessive amount of construction material such as sheet metal or the like. These last mentioned difficulties were due to a large amount of duplication of passages or duct members which ran substantially parallel to each other. By the system and principies of the present invention, these difficulties and problems are obviated and an efficient and economical multiple distribution system is provided.

By the system and principles of the present invention Patented July 31, 1956 mention to provide a multiple distribution system of efficient economical construction.

it is another important object of the present inventionto provide a multiple distribution system for cooperation and combination with an elevator or the like for the transportation of finely divided materials or fluids.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiple distribution system for cooperation and combination with an elevator or the like for effecting distribution to selected of a plurality of distribution paths and directions through the manipulation of a single control device thereby providing the system with quick and efficient operational characteristics.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multiple distribution system for accepting the discharge flow of an elevator or the like and to guide the same to selected individual of a plurality of divergent duct guide members.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multiple distribution system with substantially complete'weather protection and shielding.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an elevator discharge system with multiple distribution characteristics and substantially complete weather and element shielding and protection at selected or all points of possible exposure of the elevator discharge flow.

Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention in accordance with the principles thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims and from the accompanying drawing; which forms a part of this specification, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

Figure'l is an elevational view of a preferred embodimerit to the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the embodimerits of the system. of Figure l and taken along the line lll'l thereof;

' Figure 3 is a top plan view of still another portion of the system of the embodiments of Figure 1 and is taken along the line IlI-III thereof; and v Figure 4 is a top plan view of still another portion of the system of the embodiment of Figure l and is taken along the line IV-IV thereof.

In Figure 1 there is illustrated in side elevational view preferred embodiments of the present invention including in combination an elevator 1 or the like and a multiple distribution system indicated generally at 2. The elevator which is preferably one capable of handling fluids or finely divided solids or mass materials, may be of the centrifugal discharge type or perfect discharge type or continuous bucket type or super-capacity continuous bucket type but preferably has a bucket and belt or chain construction with a housing 3 to discharge through an outlet 4 near the top thereof. The inlet to the elevator 1 in. the region of the bottom thereof or lower portion thereof may be from a screw feed or belt conveyor or other desired systems for feeding the material to be handled to the elevator.

The housing 3 for the elevator 1 preferably has a braced frame construction carrying sheet metal siding or the like. It will be understood, of course, that the detailed construction of the elevator 1 is not critical to the present invention, but it is important that the elevator mechanism and housing be sufficiently sturdy to carry the multiple distribution system thereon and particularly on a side Set the housing 3 from which the discharge nozzle or outlet 4 extends.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention the outlet spout or nozzle 4 from the elevator 1 preferably extends outwardly and downwardly to its terminal end 5 wherein it is joined to the inlet conduit or duct 6 of the multiple distribution system. These members may be joined together in any convenient manner such as welding or the like along the junction line 7 therebetweem.

Both of the outlet spouts 4 for the elevator 1 and the distribution inlet duct or conduit 6 for the distribution system 2 have been shown partially in section in Figure 1. Since outlet spouts for most conventional forms of elevators such as the elevator 1 have a somewhat square or rectangular configuration in cross-section, the inlet spout or duct 6 of the distribution system 2 also has been shown as preferably square or rectangular in cross-section for proper mating with the spout 4 along the junction line 7 at the upper end 8 of the duct member 6. By providing these members with this configuration a smooth seam may be provided along the junction line 7 so that no obstructions present themselves to the discharge flow or material flow within the confines of the system. These material or flow passage members may, of course, have any other desired cross-sectional configuration but the pattern above described is preferred.

Near its lower or discharge end 9 the duct member 6 is provided with an entrance manhole or maintenance opening, as at 10, in one side of the duct member and a cover 11 is provided to closely fit over an edging flange 12 about the maintenance opening 10. By the provision of this maintenance opening access to the interior of the duct system is provided for cleaning and other desired purposes.

A square-to-round converter member 13 is secured to the lower end 9 of the entrance duct member 6 and is secured and fitted thereto along the junction line 14 where these parts may be welded or the like. The converter member 13 is of such a construction that it has a square or rectangular cross-sectional configuration at its upper edge along the junction line 14 so that it may smoothly mate and fit with the lower end 9 of the entrance duct 6 and therebelow gradually changes from the square or rectangular cross-sectional configuration to a preferably round configuration at about the axial center thereof. Below this it maintains the smooth round configuration indicated at 15 in Figure 1. A shield or cover plate, indicated generally at 16 having a preferably substantially round cover section 17, an axially concentric opening therein substantially the same size as the outside diameter of the cylindrical section 15 of the converter member and a downwardly extending preferably substantially cylindrical flange portion 18 extending from the periphery of the cover section 17, is secured to the converter 13 preferably near the upper portion of the cylindrical section 15 of the converter 13. This cover shield member 16 together with the outer surface of the cylindrical section 15 of the converter 13 provides a doughnut-shaped cavity between the two members and operates as a substantially complete weather and element shield for the discharge flow or material flow emanating from the end of the converter member 13.

Frame members 20, which may, for purposes of simplicity, be angle iron members or the like, are secured, as by welding or riveting or the like, to the side of the elevator housing 3 and supports a distributor table support tubular member 21 by being secured thereto at intervals along the length of the distributor table support member 21. The distributor table support 21 is arranged coaxially with the preferably cylindrical section 15 of the converter 13 and is disposed a substantial distance below the converter 13. A distributor table 22, best viewed in Figure 3, is preferably a substantially circular plate of considerable strength and rigidity and has a small axial passage 23 therethrough of about the same diameter as the outside diameter of the tubular member 21 to provide for convenient passage of the tubular member 21 therethrough and securing of these two members together as by welding or the like. The distributor table 22 is provided with a number of large holes therein which are preferably substantially equally spaced and as a group arranged with their centers preferably in a circle concentric with the center of the tubular support member 21. The particular number of these holes is not critical but in a preferred embodiment of the present invention six of the same are provided in the distributor plate 22. In Figure 3, these circularly arranged holes are designated by the dotted invisible lines 24, which lines indicate the edges of each of these holes.

As illustrated, the distributor plate 22 carries a set of funnel devices 25, one in each of the holes 24, with their wide mouth ends 26 disposed above the upper surface of the distributor table plate 22 and with their narrow mouth ends 27 disposed below the lower surface of the distributor table plate 22. Each of the funnels 25, of which there are six in the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, is operable as an entrance member to individual of a plurality of distribution discharge ducts or conduits 30 which are secured one to each funnel member 25 along the narrow mouth edge 27 thereof in a smooth unobstructing line of junction where the two members are secured together as by welding or the like.

The divergent discharge ducts or conduits 30 extend from below the distribution table 22 as described, and may be individually directed in any particular desired direction with the lower ends of each thereof, not shown, disposed as desired for loading or piling or the like, whenever material may be handled by the system of this invention, in any number of places limited only by the number of ducts, the number of funnel members, the number of holes in the distribution table. The distribution table 22 is itself mounted substantially stationary with respect to the elevator 1 and is of sufficient strength to carry whatever operating loads to which it may be subjected.

An indexed rotatable mechanism, forming an important part of the present invention, cooperatively interconnects the distribution table system and the multiple distribution inlet system. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings a set of frame members 31, secured to the face 5 of the elevator housing 3, are further secured to and rigidly support a bearing member 32 having an axial passage 33 therethrough which is coaxial with the hollow interior of the tubular distribution table support member 21 and the cylindrical discharge end portion 15 of the converter 13. An indexed notched distribution control plate 34, best viewed in Figure 4, is secured about the bearing 32 in a plane preferably parallel to the plane of the distribution table 22 and is peripherally notched as at 35 with a number of notches which correspond to the number of terminal distribution ducts 30 and are spaced and placed to correspond with the placement and spacing of the funnel members 25 as the same are carried by the distribution plate 22. An indexed distribution control handle 36 effectively rides on the plate 34 and supports the rotatable shaft 37 which extends through the bearing 32 and tubular distribution table support 21.

At its upper end 38 the shaft 37 is secured to and carries an interconnecting material guide or flow guide or duct or conduit 39 which is diagonally disposed so that its upper end 40 telescopes within the doughnut-shaped cavity between the cylindrical discharge section 15 of the converter 13 and the cylindrical downwardly extend ing flange 18 of the cover member and shield 16 and is substantially concentric therewith. Also, at its upper end 40, the interconnecting flow guide 39 slightly overlaps the cylindrical discharge end 15 of the converter 13. At its lower end 41 the flow guide 39 is substantially concentric with one of the funnels 25 and is arranged to fit down into the large mouth end 26 of the funnel member 25. A second shield and cover member 42 preferably is composed of an upper plate 43, best seen in Figure 2, and a downwardly extending substantially cylindrical flange member 44. The plate cover section 43 is preferably substantially circular and of a larger diameter than the distribution table 22 and has a central axial opening therethrough whereby it may conveniently besecured to the rotatable distribution control'shaft 37.. additional opening 45 is provided through the cover shield plate 43 eccentric to the center thereof and spaced from the, center substantially the same spacing as the holes 24 in the distribution. plate 22 are spaced from the center of the dis tribution plate 22. The lower discharge end of the interconnecting conduit flow guide 39 is fitted through this single opening 45 and is secured in that position. The

flange 44 of the cover shield unit 42 extends downwardly for about the same distance as the downward extension of thelower end 41 of the interconnecting guide 39.

Additional securing bracer members such as the bar 46 and the bracer securing members 47 may be provided to brace and balance the cover shield 42 and the distribution control shaft 37. This cover shield unit 42 provides an effective weather shield and element protector for the discharge flow from the lower end 41 of the flow guide conduit. 39.

As briefly described hereinabove, the distribution control shaft37 is carried on a distribution control arm or handle 36 which is supported by the notched control plate 34. One preferred construction is illustrated in Fi'gure 4 wherein it is shown that thecontrol shaft 37' passes through an opening in the control arm or handle 36 and is there pivotally bolted or riveted in place.

A pivot roller 50, is journalled on a: pin extension 51 from the rear end of the control handle 36 and positioned to. ride and rollon the upper surface of the notched control plate 34. In addition, the control handle 36 is provided along its lower surface with a pin or the like 52 (as shown in elevation in Figure I) which is so spaced from the center of the shaft 37 as to be properly positioned to catch in a pre-selected one of the notches 35 in the control plate 34 when the handle control arm 36 is disposed in the proper radial direction therefor.

From the above detailed description of a preferred construction in accordance with the principles of the present invention, it should be clear that by the present invention a greatly simplified and new and improved multiple distribution system is provided. The operation of this system and the distribution directionalization control thereof is provided through operation and manipulation of the single control handle or arm 36 in combination with the notched index control plate 34 and the pin 52 on the arm 36 which fits into individual notches 35 in the control plate.

By the system of the present invention to eflfect directionalized control of the discharge flow from the elevator 1, it is only necessary to determine which individual of the plurality of discharge duct 30 it is desired to guide the flow discharge. Thereafter, the handle 36 is raised at its forward end thereby lifting the pin 52 out of the notch 35 in which it had been seated and thereby lifting the control shaft 37 pivoting the handle on the roller 50. Raising of the control shaft 37 raises the interconnecting guide or conduit 39 out of engagement and interfitting relation with the individual funnel member 25 in which it had been seated and also raises the upper end 40 into further telescoping engagement with the cylinder lower end 15 of the converter 13. Now, revolution of the control handle or arm 36 about the axis of the control shaft 37, rolling the roller 50 on the notched control plates 34, rotates the interconnecting guide or conduit 39 thereby permitting movement to the discharge end 41 of the guide conduit 39 to the desired funnel member 25 and the desired discharge conduit 30, the upper end 40 of the conduit 39 remaining in flow connection with the converter 13. When the discharge end of the duct 39 is over the pre-selected entrance funnel 25, the handle 36 may be lowered to engage the pin 52 in the new notch 35 in the control plate 34 thereby lowering the shaft 37 and the discharge end 41 of the duct 39 into the preselected entrance funnel 25 for the pre-selected discharge conduit 30.

I, By this control system, a single operator is able to directionally control elevator discharge flow into individual of a plurality of distribution conduits by asingle manipulation of a, single control device. In addition, discharge flow is substantially completely protected. from rain and-wind and other weather elements through the cover and shield provided by the units 16 and 42. All other places of discharge flow within this system are completely enclosed since the several conduits, ducts and guides are open ended but circurnferentially completely closed members (with the provision, of course, of maintenance openings such as the one indicated at 10. which is provided with a separate cover 11).

While we have shown a particular embodiment of our invention, it will, of course, be understood that we do not wishto be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and we, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim as our inventioni l. In a multiple distribution system for controlled directionalization of the distribution of discharge flow from an elevator mechanism, in combination, an. inlet duct member having an inlet end and a discharge end, v a cover shield member secured to said discharge end with projecting areas thereof extending from said discharge end and circumferentially thereabout, a plurality of divergently extending distribution ducts each having a funnel-like entrance member, said entrance members positioned in a substantially circular arrangement coaxial with said discharge end and axially displaced therebelow, and a rfotatably supported distribution control conduit selectively coupling said inlet duct member with individual of said plurality of divergently extending distribution ducts.

2. in a multiple distribution system for controlled directionalization of the distribution of discharge flow from an elevator mechanism, in combination, an inlet duct member having an inlet end and a discharge end, a cover shield member secured to said discharge end with projecting areas thereof extending from said discharge end and circumferentially thereabout, a plurality of divergently extending distribution ducts positioned in a substantially circular arrangement coaxial with said discharge end and axially displaced therebelow, and a rotatably supported distribution control conduit selectively coupling said inlet duct member with individual of said plurality of diver ently extending distribution ducts.

3. In a multiple distribution system for controlled directionalization of the distribution of discharge flow from an elevator mechanism, in combination, an inlet duct member having an inlet end and a discharge end, a cover shield member secured to said discharge end with projecting areas thereof extending from said discharge and and circumferentially thereabout, a plurality of divergently extending distribution ducts positioned in a substantially circular arrangement coaxial with said discharge end and axially displaced therebelow, and a rotatably supported distribution control conduit selectively coupling said inlet duct member with individual of said plurality of divergently extending distribution ducts, and a second cover shield member secured to said control conduct at its discharge end.

4. In an elevator discharge flow directing multiple distribution system for an elevator system having an outlet near the top thereof, a multiple distribution system inlet conduit secured to said elevator mechanism outlet with said outlet opening into said inlet conduit at the upper end of said conduit, a plurality of divergently extending discharge ducts, duct supportingmeans secured to said elevator mechanism, said duct supporting means including a distribution table, said ducts having the upper end of each thereof secured to said distribution table and arranged substantially circularly and substantially concentrically with the lower end of said inlet conduit, said supporting means and the upper ends of said duct disposed substantially below the lower end of said inlet conduit, and duct selector means selectively interconnecting said conduit and individual of said ducts, said duct selector means including a rotatable discharge guide member to direct discharge flow from said inlet conduit to individual of said ducts, a rotatable supporting member rotatably carrying said guide member, and guide member rotating and selector stop means, a first cover shield member secured to the lower end of said inlet conduit and operable to shield the upper end of said guide memher, and a second cover shield member secured to said duct selector means and to said guide member operably arranged to shield said discharge duct.

5. In a distribution system for selectively directing the relative directional flow of material, in combination, a multiplicity of relatively divergent conduit means initiating in funnel-like entrance members substantially plane circularly arranged, a flow receiving member having a discharge end substantially coaxial with the plane circularly arranged entrance members and axially displaced therefrom, a substantially axially displaceable rotatably supported flow guide to positively interconnect a selected individual of said multiplicity of relatively divergent conduit means with said flow receiving member, a control shaft secured to said flow guide, and a single control lever connected to said control shaft to axially move the same and rotate the same for disconnection of said flow guide from said selected individual conduit means and to rotate the same to another of said conduit means and to positively connect said other conduit means and said flow guide, said lever being operatively arranged to index positions and having a roller thereon operative as a roller pivot for movement of said lever from one index position to another index position.

6. In a distribution system for selectively directing the relative directional flow of material, in combination, a multiplicity of relatively divergent conduit means initiating in funnel-like entrance members substantially plane circularly arranged, a flow receiving member having a discharge end substantially coaxial with the plane circularly arranged entrance members and axially displaced therefrom, and a flow guide mechanism to positively interconnect a selected individual of said multiplicity of relatively divergent conduit means with said flow receiving member, and means to index said flow guide mechanism for selected interconnection with each of said conduit means, and a pair of shield members secured to said flow receiving member at the discharge end thereof and said flow guide mechanism in the region of the interconnecting region thereof, respectively, the shield on the flow guide being of greater diameter than the outside diameter of the plane circularly arranged funnel-like entrance members, and the shield on the discharge end of the How receiving member being dimensioned to shield the flow guide mechanism in the region of its connection with the flow receiving member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 647,749 Hall Apr. 17, 1900 993,167 Hoff May 23, 1911 1,005,049 Lorenzen Oct. 3, 1911 1,268,219 Cooley June 4, 1918 1,413,505 Stump Apr. 18, 1922 

